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Sven Lenaerts is a versatile professional who successfully combines his education and expertise to generate positive change. With a solid background in IT project management, Sven made a decisive turning point in his career in 2013 by diving into the field of urban development. Passionate about revitalizing communities through innovative governance, he successfully led several associations in Brussels, breathing new life into neighborhoods.
Most recently, Sven held the position of Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, where he implemented strategies and initiatives to promote Immobel's social and environmental sustainability, bringing new momentum to the company.
We are delighted to benefit from his expertise as we embark together on a journey of discovery and stimulation.
Immobel, one of Belgium’s leading listed real estate developers, has positioned itself at the forefront of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) into its business strategy. With a rich history dating back to 1863, Immobel is renowned for creating high-quality, sustainable urban environments that enhance the way people live, work and play. Specialising in mixed-use real estate, the company positions itself as a developer focused on large, mixed-use projects that serve as a driver of urban transformation.
When it comes to designing urban regeneration projects, Immobel’s approach goes beyond a simple emphasis on environmental considerations. While striving for an overall reduction in direct CO2 emissions related to mobility, building materials and energy consumption, Immobel recognizes that the social aspects of these projects are just as essential. Immobel understands that creating sustainable communities involves harmoniously considering social, environmental and economic factors.
Integrating CSR into their business strategy has had a profound impact on Immobel’s success. By prioritizing the social aspects of their projects, Immobel creates value, mitigates risks, and gains the trust and support of stakeholders.
This approach has allowed Immobel to align its business objectives with broader sustainability goals, leading to long-term success and creating a positive legacy in the communities where it operates.
Community engagement and ensuring diversity in neighborhoods will become even more crucial strategies to create inclusive and resilient neighborhoods. ESG has evolved over the years from a constraint to an opportunity to build resilient, sustainable, and future-proof projects.
Philanthropy plays a crucial role in Immobel’s overall sustainability efforts, reflecting the company’s commitment to societal participation and creating a positive impact on the community. To effectively channel their philanthropic initiatives, Immobel created the Immobel Commitment Fund, which is the company’s charitable pillar.
The Immobel Commitment Fund operates with a dual objective in mind. First, it allocates financial resources to associations and organizations dedicated to activities with a societal vocation. By supporting these initiatives, Immobel contributes directly to the improvement of society and addresses major social problems.
Secondly, the Immobel Commitment Fund serves as a platform to involve Immobel staff in solidarity actions. This integration of employees in philanthropic initiatives reinforces the objectives of Immobel's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.
By actively involving their staff in these initiatives, Immobel fosters a sense of shared responsibility and strengthens the company's commitment to social and community goals.
This convergence between philanthropic initiatives and business objectives ensures that Immobel's sustainability efforts are integrated into every aspect of their business.
A philanthropic impact project supported by the Immobel Engagement Fund is TADA (ToekomstATELIERdelAvenir). TADA is a network that brings together citizens, civil society and businesses to support the integration and empowerment of socially vulnerable adolescents in Brussels.
The Immobel Engagement Fund has been a strong supporter of TADA for several years, recognizing the importance of providing opportunities and resources to those who need them most. This year, Immobel took its commitment a step further by encouraging its internal teams to actively participate in TADA’s “Saturday Classes.”
During these courses, mixed teams of developers, technical profiles and interior designers came together to interact with the TADA children. Through interactive workshops and site visits, Immobel team members presented the ins and outs of the real estate development industry in a fun and educational way.
This philanthropic effort has had a significant positive impact on both TADA and Immobel employees.
By actively participating in TADA initiatives, Immobel has contributed to the integration and emancipation of socially vulnerable adolescents, providing them with valuable knowledge and practical experience in the field of real estate development.
This exhibition opens new perspectives and inspires these young individuals to explore potential professional paths.
To ensure the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of its philanthropic initiatives, Immobel adopts a comprehensive approach that includes a rigorous selection process and ongoing evaluation.
The selection process begins with a careful assessment of associations and initiatives aligned with Immobel’s strategic objectives. A board of directors, composed of internal and external members, assumes the responsibility of identifying and selecting initiatives in the areas of social inclusion, culture, health and inclusive urban development. This thoughtful selection process ensures that the supported initiatives are in line with Immobel’s overall objectives and priorities.
In addition, Immobel actively fosters connection and dialogue with the charities it supports. The company organizes “Lunch and Learn” sessions, inviting charities to interact with Immobel employees. During these sessions, feedback is given on the impact created by Immobel employees’ volunteering actions within the charities. This open dialogue allows Immobel to evaluate the direct and indirect results of its philanthropic efforts, gaining valuable insights into the effectiveness and sustainability of the initiatives.
Integrating sustainable philanthropy into business operations is something every company, regardless of size, can and should do to make a positive impact. While larger companies may have more resources to allocate to philanthropic initiatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also play an important role in creating change.
One way for SMEs to get started is to offer smaller grants and manage them more informally. These small grants can be an effective way for SMEs and nonprofits to start working together and building a partnership. By starting small, SMEs can establish themselves as responsible corporate citizens while making a significant impact on society and the environment.
Another approach SMEs can take is to leverage their unique strengths and resources to support philanthropic initiatives. For example, a small business specializing in sustainable products could partner with a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation. By combining their resources and expertise, these organizations can create a greater impact than they could alone.
Additionally, SMEs can look for ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily operations. This could include implementing environmentally friendly policies, reducing waste, and minimizing their carbon footprint.
These efforts not only benefit the environment, but also demonstrate the company's commitment to responsible business practices, thereby strengthening its reputation and credibility.
Successful collaborations between businesses and non-profit organizations can have a significant positive impact. Let’s take an example of such a collaboration and the key factors that contributed to its success. Among the concrete actions, tree planting has many benefits, such as increased biodiversity, air purification, flood protection, freshness and improved well-being. In addition, it is possible to organize a team building activity for tree planting, and different platforms exist to support tree planting initiatives, including the possibility of giving trees as gifts.
Successful collaborations between businesses and non-profit organizations can have a significant positive impact. Let’s take an example of such a collaboration and the key factors that contributed to its success. Among the concrete actions, tree planting has many benefits, such as increased biodiversity, air purification, flood protection, freshness and improved well-being. In addition, it is possible to organize a team building activity for tree planting, and different platforms exist to support tree planting initiatives, including the possibility of giving trees as gifts.
